ONCE UPON A TIME MICHEL LEGRAND

(Il Était une fois Michel Legrand)

CINEMA COMPETITION
DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM
TRUFFAUT THEATRE

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3
11:05 am (Screening ends at 1:00 pm)
Followed by a conversation with writer/director David Hertzog Dessite & Producer Thierry de Clermont-Tonnerre

Presented in association with:
Mediawan Rights

Directed by: David Hertzog Dessites
Written by: David Hertzog Dessites, Willy Duraffourg
Produced by: Martine de Clermont-Tonnerre, Antoine de Clermont-Tonnerre & Thierry de Clermont-Tonnerre (MACT Productions), David Hertzog Dessites (Le Sous-Marin Productions), INA
Cinematography: Nicolas Beauchamp, Riyad Cairat, Stan Olianker, Paul Olinger
Film Editing: Margot Icher, Vincent Morvan, David Hertzog Dessites
Cast: Michel Legrand, Jacques Demy, Barbra Streisand, Oscar Peterson, Henri Mancini, Norman Jewinson, Sting, Steve Mc Queen, Isabelle Rondon, Macha Méril Legrand, Jean-Paul Rappeneau, Claude Lelouch, Élie Chouraqui, Claude Nougaro, Quincy Jones, Jean-Luc Godard, Agnès Varda, Rosalie Varda, Laurent Perez Del Mar, Gabriel Yared, Philippe Rombi, Jacques Perrin, Elliott Gould, Jason Gould, Stéphane Lerouge, Stan Getz, Costa Gavras, Maurice Chevalier, Danièle Thompson, Catherine Deneuve
International Sales: Mediawan Rights

The indomitable, ebullient presence of the great Michel Legrand fills every frame of this freewheeling portrait of the legendary 20th century musician and film composer. But it’s, of course, the film’s jazzy, effusive soundtrack that truly recounts the journey of a man who left an indelible mark on both music and world cinema. From The Umbrellas of Cherbourg to The Thomas Crown Affair to Yentl, from French New Wave composer to the toast of Hollywood with three Oscars to his name, the film charts the course of a brilliant career and of an extraordinary artist, right up to and including his exceptionally moving final performance. Brimming with endless up-close-and-personal moments with the composer himself and interviews with countless collaborators, Once Upon a Time: Michel Legrand is an intimate portrait of a genuine maestro and an absolute joy to behold. Prepare to be smitten!

Producer-Director David Hertzog Dessites was born in Cannes, where, at 20, he actually had a job sweeping the red carpet he would ascend in 2024, to present his newest film, Once Upon a Time: Michel Legrand, as part of this year’s Cannes Classics official selection. Between then and now, Dessites has worn several film industry hats — as camera operator and directing and producing some 60 shorts and “making of” docs from 2002 to the present. He directed an episode of the TV series Le cas de l’oncle Doc (2011), and the documentaries De l’ombre à la lumière (2011), Dans les coulisses d’Ennio Morricone (2016), Mexique Etat d’Urgence (2017), and 3 jours à vivre (2023).